Artificial nutrition and hydration (feed tubing)

A medical intervention to supply nutrition and/or hydration by tube, catheter or needle to patients who cannot or will not eat or drink. Artificial nutrition and hydration has traditionally been used to meet several therapeutic goals: 1) prolong life; 2) prevent aspiration pneumonia; 3) maintain independence and physical function; and 4) decrease suffering and discomfort at the end of life.

<<Return to Glossary list